竹 Stroke Order — How to Write 竹
竹 is written in 6 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 竹, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
竹 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- zhú
Meanings of 竹 in Chinese
1
zhú竹
Bamboo; an evergreen perennial plant with hollow, hard, jointed stems, known for producing edible shoots in spring, and widely used for crafts, utensils, and building materials.
这片竹林里的竹子长得又高又壮。
The bamboo in this bamboo forest grows tall and strong.
Refers to bamboo-made wind instruments: as in 'jīn shí sī zhú' (metal, stone, silk, and bamboo - a collective term for ancient musical instruments).
园中传来悠扬的竹箫声，令人心旷神怡。
The melodious sound of a bamboo flute wafted from the garden, bringing a sense of peace and joy.
One of the eight traditional categories of ancient Chinese musical instruments, referring to those made of bamboo, such as flutes or pipes.
中国古代的乐器，如箫、笛，都属于‘竹’类。
Ancient Chinese musical instruments, such as the xiao (vertical bamboo flute) and dizi (bamboo flute), both belong to the 'bamboo' category.
Common Words and Phrases with 竹
1
A Chinese folk art form (quyi) where a performer recites or sings accompanied by bamboo clappers, known for its lively rhythm. Also called kuaibanshu.
老爷爷在公园里表演竹板书，引得许多小朋友驻足观看
The old man performed bamboo clapper storytelling in the park, attracting many children to stop and watch.
2
3
The rhizome of bamboo, or a whip made of bamboo.
竹鞭在土壤中蔓延，形成新的竹笋
Bamboo rhizomes spread in the soil, forming new bamboo shoots.
4
A bamboo flute, a traditional Chinese musical instrument.
他学了好几年才学会吹奏竹笛，现在技巧十分娴熟。
It took him several years of study to learn how to play the bamboo flute, and now his skills are very proficient.
5
6
Bamboo slips used for writing on in ancient China.
博物馆里陈列着许多保存完好的竹简。
Many well-preserved bamboo slips are displayed in the museum.
7
A fruitless or futile effort, like trying to draw water with a bamboo basket, meaning all one's efforts are in vain.
如果你没有一个清晰的目标，所有的努力都可能竹篮打水一场空。
If you don't have a clear goal, all your efforts might be like drawing water with a bamboo basket, ending up in vain.
8
Drawing water with a bamboo basket; all in vain; fruitless effort.
经过几个月的努力，他的创业项目最终失败了，真是竹篮打水一场空。
After several months of hard work, his startup project ultimately failed, which was truly a fruitless endeavor.
9
a curtain made of bamboo strips, often used at doorways
夏日炎炎，微风吹过竹帘，带来一丝清凉。
In the hot summer, a gentle breeze passed through the bamboo curtain, bringing a touch of coolness.
10
11
A house mainly built with bamboo; a bamboo house.
傣族人民喜欢用竹子建造竹楼，这种建筑风格很有特色。
The Dai people prefer to build bamboo houses, and this architectural style is very distinctive.
12
A children's toy, a hobbyhorse; also a bamboo prop used in folk dances.
小男孩骑着他的竹马，在花园里开心地玩耍
The little boy happily played in the garden, riding his hobbyhorse.
13
Flat, thin strips of bamboo used for weaving bamboo articles.
他用细长的竹蔑编织了一个结实的竹篮。
He wove a sturdy bamboo basket using long, thin bamboo strips.
14
mahjong tiles
爷爷在院子里摆好桌子，和几个老朋友围坐在一起，准备打上几圈竹牌。
Grandpa set up a table in the courtyard and sat with a few old friends, ready to play a few rounds of Mahjong.
15
articles made of bamboo
这家店里摆满了各种精美的竹器，让人目不暇接。
This shop is filled with various exquisite bamboo wares, making one's eyes feast.
More words with 竹
- bān斑zhú竹Spotted bamboo
- fǔ腐zhú竹Dried bean curd sticks, Tofu skin sticks
- lú芦zhú竹Giant reed
- zǐ紫zhú竹Black Bamboo, Purple Bamboo
- xiāng湘fēi妃zhú竹mottled bamboo
- zhú竹zi子bamboo
- zhú竹lán篮bamboo basket, wicker basket
- zhú竹sǔn笋bamboo shoot, bamboo shoots
- zhú竹bǎn板bamboo clapper, bamboo board
- zhú竹gāo篙bamboo pole, punt pole
- zhú竹jié节bamboo joint, node
- zhú竹kuāng筐bamboo basket, wicker basket
- zhú竹pái排bamboo raft
- zhú竹tiáo条bamboo strip, bamboo stick
- zhú竹tǒng筒bamboo tube, bamboo section
- zhú竹yè叶bamboo leaf
- sī丝zhú竹silk and bamboo, string and wind instruments
- zhú竹lì笠bamboo hat, conical hat
- zhú竹lǒu篓bamboo basket, creel
- zhú竹piàn片bamboo strip, bamboo slip
Idioms with 竹
- zhú竹bào报píng平ān安news of peace and safety from home
- zhú竹mǎ马zhī之jiāo交childhood friends
- zhú竹mǎ马zhī之yǒu友childhood friends
- zhú竹tóu头mù木xiè屑usable waste or scraps
- chéng成zhú竹zài在xiōng胸have a well-conceived plan in mind
- jiū鸠chē车zhú竹mǎ马innocent days of youth
- pò破zhú竹jiàn建líng瓴irresistible strategic advantage
- pò破zhú竹zhī之shì势irresistible momentum like splitting bamboo
- qīng青méi梅zhú竹mǎ马childhood sweethearts
- qìng罄zhú竹nán难shū书innumerable crimes
- shì势rú如pò破zhú竹progressing irresistibly with ease
- xiōng胸yǒu有chéng成zhú竹have a well-conceived plan in mind
Recommended tools
Bingo Cards
Picture and word Bingo for your class
Open the tool →
Writing Worksheets
Printable tracing sheets with a QR learning companion
Open the tool →
Chinese Text Image Generator
Create PNGs with pinyin, highlight character parts or remove strokes
Open the tool →
Picture Worksheets
Chinese and English fill-in vocabulary worksheets
Open the tool →Questions about 竹
What does 竹 mean in Chinese?
竹 (zhú) means “Bamboo” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 竹?
竹 is pronounced zhú in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 竹 have?
竹 has 6 strokes.
How do you write 竹?
竹 is written in 6 strokes, starting from the radical 竹. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 竹?
The radical of 竹 is 竹, and 竹 is a pictograph.